Current shut-off mechanism



F. F. ADAMS Oct. 22, 1935.

CURRENT SHUT- OFF MECHANISM Filed Jan. 3, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 22, 1935. F, ADAMS 2,018,590

CURRENT SHUT OFF MECHANI SM Filed Jan. 3, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Get. 22, 1935. F, F. ADAMS 2,018,590

CURRENT SHUT-OFF MECHANISM Filed Jan. 5. 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Oct. 22, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 10 Claim.

This invention relates to a current shut-off mechanism designed primarily for use in connection with automotive vehicles and aeroplanes of that type propelled from internal combustion motors, but it is to be understood that a mechanism, in accordance with this invention, may be employed in any connection for which it may be found applicable, and the invention has for its object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a mechanism of the class referred to for automatically and instantly shutting off all current to the ignition and other circuits when the vehicle, in which the mechanism is installed, collides with an obstruction thereby discontinuing the operation of the vehicle's motor, preventing the igniting of the motor fuel and reducing to a minimum the possibility of a confiagration.

A further object of the invention resides in the providing of a current shut-off mechanism in a manner as hereinafter set forth, for instantly shutting off of all current for the purpose referred to, when the vehicle, in which the mechanism is installed, overturns from each side thereof.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a mechanism of the class referred to for the purpose set forth, which is comparatively simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, thoroughly efllcient in its use, automatic and expeditious in its action to open the ignition system of an internal combustion engine, readily installed with respect to the vehicle with which it is to be used, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

To the above ends essentially and to others which may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of such parts, and such combination of parts which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of that form of the mechanism for use in connection with an automotive vehicle, such as an automobile or motor driven truck.

Figures 2 and 3 are respectively a rear and a front elevation thereof.

Figure 4 is a sectional view of the form of switch employed.

Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of a switch.

Figure 6 is an elevation of the form of current shut-off mechanism employed for aeroplanes.

Referring to Figures 1 to 5 of the drawings, the current shut-ofi mechanism as illustrated thereby includes a base plate I having extended upwardly therefrom and fixedly secured therewith a pair of spaced parallel vertically disposed front and rear supporting plates 2, 3 respectively. The forward end of base I is formed with an angleshaped support 4 having a vertical leg 5 terminating at its upper end into an inwardly extend- 5 ing leg 6 disposed at right angles to leg 5. Anchored to the base I is a post I which is spaced from and is of the same height as support 4. The purpose of the latter and post 1 will be presently referred to. 10

The plates 2, 3 are of like contour and of the same width and height. The plate 2 in proximity to its lower end is formed with a pair of spaced forwardly extending parallel short apertured lugs 8. The apertures in the latter are indicated at 9, 15 are disposed in alignment and positioned between the vertical medians and forward ends of said lugs. The lugs 8 are arranged in proximity to opposite sides of the vertical median of plate 2. The plate 3, at a point between its transverse 20 median and its upper end, is formed with a pair of oppositely disposed spaced parallel vertically extending supporting members l0, II of angleshaped contour in transverse cross section. The members III, II consist of inner legs l2, 13 re- 25 spectively and outer legs l4, l5 respectively. The legs I2, l3 form flush continuations of the sides l6, l1 respectively of plate 3. The legs l4, l5 are integral with the outer sides of legs l2, l8 respectively and extend rearwardly at right angles to the latter. The widths of legs I 4, i5 are greater than that of the legs [2, l3 respectively. The members l0, II are of non-conducting material. The legs [4, l5 of members Ill, II have central openings I1, 18 respectively. The plate 3 35 adjacent the sides of its vertical median is formed with a pair of openings i9, 20 having outer lower corner Walls 2|, 22 respectively. Each corner wall is formed of a pair of oppositely inclined parts 23, 24 merging into each other and one merging into the lower end of the outer side wall 25 of an opening and the other merging into the outer end of the bottom wall 26 of an opening. The openings I9, 20 have their upper parts arranged in alignment with the lower end por- 5 tions of the members I0, I l. The corner walls 2 I, 22 are oppositely disposed with respect to each other. The function of the openings and the corner walls 2i, 22 will be hereinafter referred to. The rear face of plate 3, at the vertical me- 50 dian of the latter is formed with a rearwardly extending vertical stop 21 for a purpose to be referred to.

The mechanism as shown by Figures 1 to 5 includes three switches which are selectively op- 55 turns s' lewise.

erated for the purpose of shutting ofl the current to the ignition and other circuits of the vehicle. Each switch is interposed in the current supply circuit at the desired point. Each switch is of like form. The switches are generally designated 28, 29 and 30. Each switch includes a nonconducting apertured base member. The base member of the switch 28 is provided by an apertured plate 3| of insulating material which is secured to the leg 6 and post 1. The base member of the switch 29 is provided by the leg I4 of member l6, and the base member of switch 30 by the leg l5 of member II. The base member 3| of switch 28 is illustrated in Figures 1, 3, 4 and 5 and the opening therein at- 32.

Each switch includes a pair of binding posts 33, 34 to which circuit connections 35, 36 are attached. The posts 33, 34- are of the headed type and are secured to a base member in a manner whereby the heads 31, 38 thereof are flush with one face of a base-membensee Figure 4. The heads 31, 38 are disposed in a manner to be engaged by a pair of spaced contacts 39, 43 carried by a spring controlled bridging element 5| consisting of a stem 42, a bridge piece 43 at one end of the stem and an abutment piece 44 at the other end of the stem. The bridge piece 43 is of greater width and length than the abutment piece 44 and. carries the contacts 39, 43. interposed between the abutment piece 44 and a base member and surrounding the stem 62 is a coiled spring 45 normally tending to maintain the contacts 39, 40 in electrical engagement with the heads 31, 38 for closing the current carrying circuit. Arranged against that face of a base member with which the heads 31, 38 are flush, that is to say interposed between bridge piece 43 and a base member, is a pivoted spring controlled lockout lever 46 of non-conducting material. The lever 46 normally abuts the sides of the contacts 39, 40, but when bridge piece 43 is shifted in a direction from a base member, the lever interposes itself between the heads 31, 33 and contacts 39, 40, Figure 5, whereby the circuit is held open. The lever has an opening 41 at one end for the purpose of attaching thereto one end of a controlling spring 48. The other end of the latter is connected to a base member as at ie. The lever 46 is cut out to. provide a clearance 48' for the stem 42.

The lever 46 employed as a. part of switch 28 is loosely mounted at its other end about a holdfast means 59 which connects base member or plate with the leg 6. The levers 46 employed as parts of switches 29, 36 are pivotally connected at their other ends to the legs l4, l5 respectively.

Associated with the spring controlled bridging elements of the switches 28, 29 and 30 are combined impacting and compressing elements or devices Eil, 52 and 53 respectively which function to shift said elements in a direction to open the current carrying circuit. The element 5| is operated from the shock of impact between the vehicle and an obstruction. The elements 52, 53 are operated when the vehicle upsets or over- The elements 5|, 52 and 53 are normally locked in an inactive position.

The element 5| consists of a shank 54 pivoted at its lower end between the lugs 8, as. at 55. The upper end of shank 54 is formed integral with the bottom of a weight 55 having its rear side inclined, as at 5?. The element 5| when operating swings forwardly in a downward direction to engage the abutment piece 44 of the bridging element 4| of the switch 28 for the purpose of shifting element 4| in a direction to have the contacts 39, 45 move from electrical engagement with the heads 31, 38 respectively. Attached tothe shank 53 as at 58 is the upper end of a pulling spring 55. is fixed to base I, as at 63. The normal position of element 5| is as shown in Figure 1 and which is that it is held slightly rearwardly off dead center by the spring 53 and against plate 2. In case or" sudden or violent impact, the momentum of the weight 55 swings element 5| forward past dead center and the pull from spring 58 and gravity will cause the weight 55 to impact and compress the element 4| of switch 28 from its normal position resulting in the opening of the circuit. The element 4| of switch 28 is arranged in the path of element 5| when the latter is operated, and when element 4| of switch 28 is shifted from circuit closing position, it is shifted to circuit opening position and held in such position by the'lockout lever.

The elements 52, 53 are normally vertically disposed and are normally held in such position by apair of releasing pendulums 5|, 62 respectively. The elements 52, 53 are loosely suspended from their upper ends from a pair of spaced parallel short shafts 63, 64 respectively secured to the plates 2, 3' adjacent each side of the vertical medians of the latter and extended rearwardly from plate 3. The elements 52, 53 are mounted and retained on the extended ends of the shafts 63, 54 respectively. The elements 52, 53 are of pendulum-like form and consist of shanks 65, 66 respectively terminating at their lower ends into and centrally of the top of octagonal-shaped weights 6?, 68 respectively formed centrally of their lower edges with semi-circular cutouts 69, 1|! respectively. The weights 6?, 68 have interposed therebetween the stop 21 for limiting the movement of said weights towards each other. The bottom edges of the weights 61, 68 are arranged above the bottom of the openings I9, 20 respectively. The lower portions of the weights 61, 68 when the elements 52, 53 are disposed normally, extend across the upper portions of the openings I9, 20 respectively and the edges of cutouts 69, 10 are arranged directly over the parts 23 of the corner walls 2| 22 of said openings. The weights 61, 68 have the side faces 61, 58' thereof constituting impact surfaces.

Arranged below the elements 52, 53 are the releasing pendulurns 6|, 62 respectively. These latter are disposed between the vertical medians and side edges of plates 2, 3. The pendulums 6|, 62 are positioned between the plates 2, 3 and consist of stems 13, 14 respectively terminating at their lower ends into the tops of circular weights 15, 16 respectively. The stems 13, 14 of the pendulums 6|, 62 respectively are loosely mounted intermediate their ends upon pivots 11, 18 supported by the plates 2, 3 in proximity to the corner walls 2|, 22 respectively. Carried by the stems 13, 14 respectively are rearwardly extending releasing lugs 19, 82 respectively which project through the openings i9, 26 respmtively and ride against the 05 corner walls 2|, 22 respectively and the edges of the cutouts 69, 10 respectively. The normal position of the lugs 19, 86 is against the center of the edges of the cutouts 69, 10 respectively and against the parts 23 of the corner walls 2|, 22 70 respectively.

The bridging elements of the switches 29, 30 are arranged in the path of the side faces 61, 53' respectively of the weights 61, 68 respectively. The lugs 19, 8D coact with the parts 23 of the The lower end of the latter 5 corner walls 2|, 22 respectively to arrest movement of the pendulums 6| 62 respectively toward each other and whereby the pendulums can only swing one way, that is away from each other.

In connection with the operation of the mechanism on the upsetting of the automotive vehicle from right to left with respect to the showing, there is utilized the centripedal force created by a circular movement and the gravitational pull on the element 52 and pendulum 6| which are held in position by the lug l8 fitting in the cutout 68. The pendulum 6| is free to swing more than 90 in a direction away from corner wall 2| before lug 19 sli s out of cutout 69. When lug 18 is moved from cutout 68, the element 52 is released and it swings downwardly whereby its said face 61' impacts with and compresses the bridging element 4| of the switch 28 thereby opening the circuit, and at which time lockout lever 46 functions to lock the bridging element 4| in circuit opening position.

In connection with the operation of the mechanism on the upsetting of the automotive vehicle from left to right with respect to the showing, the element 53, pendulum 62, lug 88, cutout l8 and face 68 of element 53 will function similar to that as referred to in the preceding paragraph to impact and compress bridging element 4| of the switch 38 whereby the circuit will be opened and element 4| locked in circuit opening position.

Referring to Figure 6 which illustrates a form of a current cutoif mechanism in accordance with this invention, for use in connection with an aeroplane, the mechanism is so constructed and arranged to provide for the cutting off of the current when the aeroplane crashes vertically or horizontally. The mechanism as shown in Figure 6 includes a vertical support 8| in the form of a rectangular plate standing on one of its lower lengthwise edges and which has secured to its front face 82 thereof and at its vertical median with a vertically disposed strip 83 constituting a back stop for a purpose to be referred to. Secured against face 82 rearwardly of strip 83 and above the longitudinal median thereof is a strip 84 disposed lengthwise of the plate BI and constituting a back. stop for a purpose to be referred to. Secured to the face 82 of plate 8| in proximity to the bottom of said face 82 and at the forward portion of plate 8| is a plate 85 of insulation material which is disposed at right angles to face 82. Secured to the latter below and in spaced relation to strip 84 is a plate 88 of insulation material which is disposed at right angles to face 82. The plates 85, 86 have vertical openings 81, 81' respectively. The plates 85, 86 provide the base members of switches 88, 88 respectively of the same structural arrangement as the switches hereinbefore referred to. The switches 88, 88 include spring controlled compressible bridging elements 98, 8! respectively.

Pivotally connected to the plate or support 8| at spaced points are spring controlled shiftable combined impacting and compre. elements 82, 93. The latter is substantially horizontally disposed but positioned off of dead center and normally bears against strip 84. The element 82 is upstanding, inclines towards and abuts strip 83 and is normally disposed off center. The pivots for elements 92, 83 are indicated at 94, 85. Each of said elements 82, 83 includes a shank 86 pivoted in proximity to one end and having its other end terminate in a weight 91 having an inclined side 88. Attached to the shank 86 is one end of a pulling spring 88. The other end of spring 88 is anchored to support 8|. The element 88 is arranged in the path of the weight of element 82. The element 8| is arranged in the path of the weight of the element 83. The elements 52, 83 operate in a manner similar to the element 5| referred to on vertical and horizontal crashes respectively. The element 82 will function to impact and compress bridging element 88 of switch 88 in a horizontal crash of the aeroplane. The element 83 will function to impact and compress bridging element 8| of switch 68 on a vertical crash of the aeroplane. The switches 88, 88 have lockout levers similar to and functioning in the same manner as the lockout lever of the switches 28, 29, 38. The strips 83, 84 limit the off center shift of the elements 82, 83 by the pulling springs 89 when said elements are in normal position.

What I claim is:

1. A current shut-off mechanism comprising a switching means including a normally active bodily slidable spring controlled compressible bridging element for normally closing a circuit, a normally inactive pivoted weighted combined impacting and compressing element automatical- 1y movable on the application of shock thereto in a direction to impact and compress said bridging element for moving the latter to inactive position to open the circuit, and said switching means including a spring controlled pivot lockout lever automatically acting on the compressing of the bridging element to maintain the latter in circuit opening position, the pivot for said impacting and compressing element being disposed at right angles to the path of travel of the bridging element, and the pivot for said lever being disposed parallel to the path of travel of the bridging element.

2. In a current shut-off mechanism, an upstanding support, a vertically disposed normally inactive latched weighted pendulum element for shifting, when active. a circuit closing means to circuit opening position, said element being on one side of pivotally suspended at its upper end from said support and made active on the shifting of said support, and a vertically disposed normally inactive weighted releasing pendulummember for the said element, said member being on the other side of and pivotally suspended at its upper end from said support and made active on the shifting of said support to release said element, said support element and member having coacting interengaging parts for normally latching said element in inactive position, the coacting part of said member extending through the coacting part of said support and engaging in the coacting part of said element.

3. In a current shut-off mechanism, an upstanding support, a vertically disposed normally inactive latched weighted pendulum element for shifting, when active, a circuit closing means to circuit opening position, said element being on one side of and pivotally suspended at its upper end from said support and made active on the shifting of said support, and a vertically disposed normally inactive weighted releasing pendulum the coacting interengaging part of said member in the form of a lateral pin positioned above the pivot for said member, the coacting interengaging part of said support being in the form of an opening through which permanently extends said pin and the coacting part of said element being in the form of a curved cutout at the bottom of said element and with the pin permanently riding against said cutout.

5. The invention, as set forth in claim 2, having the major portion of said pendulum member arranged below said pendulum element.

The invention, as set forth in claim 2, having the interengaging coacting part of said member arranged above the pivot for the latter.

'7. In combination, an upstanding support, a normally closed circuit closer at each end of said support, a pair of spaced sidewise opposed vertically disposed normally inactive weighted normally latched pendulum elements movable when released away from each other for shifting said closers to and holding them in open position, said elements being on one side of said support and pivotally suspended at their upper ends from said side of said support and made active when said support is shifted, a pair of spaced sidewise opposed vertically disposed normally inactive weighted releasing pendulum members for the said elements, said members being on the other side of pivotally suspended near their upper ends from such side of said support and movable, when active, away from each other to release said elements, said support, elements and members having coacting interengagaing parts for normally latching said elements in inactive position, and a stop on said support common to the lower portion of said elements for limiting the movement of said elements towards each other.

8. In combination, a supporting structure including a base and an upstanding portion adjacent the ends of the base, a normally closed circuit closer at each side of said portion, a normally closed circuit closer upon said base and spaced from said portion, a series of normally latched inactive pendulum devices, movable when released, in different directions for shifting said closers to and holding them in open position, said devices corresponding in number to the number of said closers, said devices being automatically releasable on the shifting oi said structure in difierent directions to contact with and shift the closures to open position, and said portion being common to said devices for limiting the return movement of said devices to inactive position.

9. In combination, an upstanding support, a normally closed circuit closer at each end oi said support, a pair of spaced sidewise opposed vertically disposed normally inactive weighted normally latched pendulum elements movable when released away from each other for shifting said closers to and holding them in open position, said elements being on one side of said support and pivotally suspended at their upper ends from said side of said support and made active when said support is shifted, a pair of spaced sidewise opposed vertically disposed normally inactive weighted releasing pendulum members for the said elements, said members being on the other side of and pivotally suspended near their upper ends from such side of said support and movable, when active, away irom each other to release said elements, said support, elements and members having coacting interengaging parts for normally latching said elements in inactive position, a stop on said support common to the lower portion of said elements for limiting the movement of said elements towards each other, said elements having the lower portions thereof of polygonal contour, said members having the lower portions of circular contour, and said members being of less length than said elements.

10. In a current shut-cit mechanism, an upstanding support, a vertically disposed normally inactive latched weighted pendulum element for shifting, when active, a circuit closing means to circuit opening position, said element being on one side of and pivotally suspended at its upper end from said support and made active on the shifting oi said support, and a vertically disposed normally inactive weighted releasing pendulum member for the said element, said member being on the other side of and pivotally suspended at its upper end from said support and made active on the shifting of said support to release said element, said support, element and member having coacting interengaging parts for normally latching said element in inactive position, the coacting part of said member extending through the coacting part of said support and engaging in the coacting part 01' said element, said element being of greater length than said member and having its lower portion of polygonal contour, and said member having its lower portion of circular contour.

FRANK F. ADAMS. 

